The new tobacco heating device, or IQOS, is manufactured by a leading cigarette company. (Bernama pic)
ALOR SETAR: The home ministry has recommended that the national poison centre conduct a study on the tobacco heating device, or IQOS, manufactured by a leading cigarette company.
Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said although the effects of using the device on the user’s health are not yet known, an initial study can be conducted in preparation for the government to enact any relevant laws.
“Even before the vape issue has subsided, a leading cigarette company has already created another (device). Perhaps the national poison centre can also start investigating IQOS.
“This device does not ‘burn’, it ‘heats’. The tagline is if you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you smoke, try to quit. If you can’t, switch to our product. That’s their campaign. Whether it has any negative effect on one’s health, we don’t know yet,” he said.
Saifuddin was speaking at a seminar on dealing with drug symptoms here today.
He said unlike regular cigarettes, the IQOS functions by heating tobacco and is seen as an innovation that poses a challenge to the country.
“But it falls under the jurisdiction of the health ministry to manage this and other related matters,” he said.
He added the government is aware that the provisions of laws and regulations relating to drug abuse and poisons cannot be static, but rather need to be dynamic so that they can be adapted to the discovery of new substances.
